Boston made a string of mistakes in a 4-3 loss Saturday night that dropped them 7 1/2 games back in the wild card race with only 14 games to play. The Sox have had rallies in the ninth inning of both games fall short, Saturday's occurring when Ryan Kalish was picked off first base ahead of what would have been a game-tying triple by Victor Martinez.
Jon Lester goes in the finale opposite Shaun Marcum.
WHEN AND WHERE
Blue Jays (75-73) at Red Sox (82-66)
Saturday, Sept. 18, 1:35 p.m. NESN
Fenway Park, Boston
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sox are 11-6 against the Blue Jays this year.
PITCHING MATCHUP
RHP Shaun Marcum (12-7, 3.58 ERA) vs. LHP Jon Lester (17-8, 3.17 ERA)
The strikeout streak remains intact for Lester. He has fanned at least 10 in four straight starts, the longest such run in the American League in six years.
Lester struck out 12 in his latest gem, going eight innings in a win at Seattle six days ago. He is 6-4 with a 3.75 ERA in his career against Toronto but has allowed 11 earned runs in 15 innings vs. the Jays this year.
After two solid starts against the Red Sox early in the year Marcum stood at 5-2 with a 2.91 ERA vs. Boston. Since then he is 0-2 with an ERA of 9.00. Still, the righty has allowed three earned runs or less in six straight outings overall.
LINEUPS
| Blue Jays |
Red Sox |
|---|---|
|
Mike McCoy, LF |
Ryan Kalish, CF |
STAT SHEET
Red Sox
- Shortstop Marco Scutaro had a single in the seventh inning Saturday night, establishing a new career high for hits with his 163rd.
- Third baseman Adrian Beltre is hitting .441 (15-for-34) during a nine-game hitting streak.
- Infielder/outfielder Bill Hall broke an 0-for-19 slump Saturday night.
Blue Jays
- Toronto has homered in 19 straight games, the longest streak in the majors this season.
- Right fielder Jose Bautista has eight of his league-leading 49 homers against Boston, more than any other team.
- Closer Kevin Gregg recorded his career-high 33rd save Saturday.
BLACK AND BLUE
Red Sox
- Second baseman Dustin Pedroia had season-ending surgery Sept. 3 on his broken left foot. He is expected to be fully healed for spring training.
- Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) will not resume any baseball-related activities until after the season ends.
- Center fielder Mike Cameron had season-ending surgery to repair an abdominal tear.
- First baseman Kevin Youkilis had successful surgery to repair the torn right adductor muscle on his right hand. He will miss the remainder of the season.
- Left-hander Felix Doubront has pain behind his left clavicle. He has not pitched since Aug. 31 and has no return date set.
- Right-hander Junichi Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.
Blue Jays
- Second baseman Aaron Hill left Friday's game with a right wrist contusion.
- Right-hander Jesse Litsch is out for the year with a labral tear in his right hip.
- Right-hander Dustin McGowan is out for the year following right shoulder surgery. He may miss all of 2011.
OUTLOOK
The Red Sox have simply not been very good at home of late, going 16-18 in their last 34 games at Fenway Park against American League opponents. Breaking out of that funk may simply delay the inevitable.
